Exclusive Interview with Setanta’s Shane O’Rourke

Today, EPL Talk conducted an exclusive interview with Shane O’Rourke, the president of North American operations for Setanta Sports.

With Setanta and Fox Soccer Channel dividing the Premiership matches to be shown in the US, soccer fans will have many questions about the changes and what impact the announcement will have.

EPL Talk will guide you through the changes.

First, go ahead and listen to the interview on the EPL Talk Podcast right now. Then, afterwards, feel free to post your questions or feedback here, and we’ll do our best to answer.

Personally, I think it’s a good thing. Although Setanta is charging $15 per month, that’s far cheaper than the $20 per PPV game we’re used to. Definitely value for money, especially seeing all of the Premiership matches the channel will be showing (plus much more).

Related Posts

About The Author

Publisher of World Soccer Talk, Christopher Harris founded the site in 2005. He has been interviewed by The New York Times, The Guardian and several other publications. Plus he has made appearances on NPR, BBC World, CBC, BBC Five Live, talkSPORT and beIN SPORT.
Harris, who was born and raised in Wales, has lived in Florida since 1984, and supported Swansea City since 1979. Last but not least, he got engaged during half-time of a MLS game.

16 Comments

C.MarlinsAugust 5, 2006

I left a comment on the podcast directly, but I’ll comment here as well. I think this is fantastic news. Setanta has done a great job to get some top Premiership matches in their lineup. As Shane said in the interview there are too many Premiership games for one channel to cover effectively, so having more games available seems like a wine for everyone.

I also think the IP TV option is brilliant. That particular access method works out well for me personally, and should be good for others where getting DirecTV proves difficult.

Does this mean that FSC is out of the PPV biz…Or, will cable operators continue to offer the $20 per match or $350 season packages? And, how will this affect Pub PPV events, I assume bar owners will be footing the bill for their small dish subscriptions and not charging the $20?

still looking for more info on IPTV. will it be ready by the time the season start (or soon after) also, what is required in terms of your system. does it work with macs? does broadband speed determine quality of picture etc. i cant get a dish but WILL get it this if I can. I need as much detail as possible. Great stuff Gaffer.todd

Unfortunately those of us without a dish option are royally screwed as there will be no PPV cable option…a bunch of us need to pool resources and purchase a SLING BOX, then have one of our DirecTV friends hook it up and leave ch. 615 on at all times, and share the bandwidth on their hi speed router!